Wigan and Saracens have announced a ground-breaking partnership to share players and resources as well as face each other in a cross-code match.

The move aims to share "resources and knowledge" across the side's coaching teams and academies.

And the deal includes the potential for the clubs to loan players to each other, across the codes.

"Wigan are a fantastic rugby club with a fantastic worldwide reputation," said Saracens chairman Nigel Wray.

Both games have their own place separately but the synergy available from these two leading clubs working together is exceptional

Ian LenaganWigan chairman

"And we are really excited by the potential of this partnership as we share resources and knowledge to ensure each club is able to maximise its potential on and off the field."

Wigan are the most successful team in rugby league with 19 English titles, 18 Challenge Cup wins and three World Club Champions victories to their name.

By contrast Saracens, who are the reigning Premiership champions, have won little silverware but have in recent years shown an appetite for innovation including team-bonding at a beer festival, training with NFL players and staging a Heineken Cup game in Cape Town.

The partnership was announced alongside the news that , who are union's Premiership champions.

Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan said talks over Tomkins's move had helped setup the new arrangement.

"Wigan has grown close with Saracens through these and previous discussions and we are delighted and excited by the partnership between Wigan and Saracens," he explained.

"Both games have their own place separately but the synergy available from these two leading clubs working together is exceptional."